French Revolution Liberty Equality Fraternity Phase II The
French Revolution Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Phase II: The Republic Reign of Virtue/Reign of Terror 1792 -1794
Political Policies Government is a republic. Representatives elected to the National Convention. Members of the Convention are also members of Jacobin clubs which were revolutionary organizations that were fairly radical. All the members of the Convention were radical, but some (the Mountain) were more radical than others. Members were elected by Unlimited Male Suffrage (all men, no property restrictions)
Political Factions Jacobins--> The Mountain Girondists--> moderate radicals Robespierre, Danton Radicals Support working class BUT Impatient and want change named after SW region in France Violence is method of change Jan. 1793=Death of Laws=Guillo Protect wealthy class and end revolution
The War with Austria/ Everyone in Europe August 1791: Declaration of Pillnitz: Prussia threatened to invade France if they harmed the monarchs in any way. The conditions of invasion were vague, but threatening. April 1792, France declared war on Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire. Prussia allied with Austria and the Austrian Netherlands (Belgium). The National Convention was determined to end the "war against tyranny. " February 1793, France declared war on England, The Netherlands and Spain too. The country had to be mobilized for total war because they were at war with every major European country.
War Inside and Outside Farmers were supporting the French Armies whether they liked it or not. Some peasants joined the fight against invaders. Some peasants joined the foreigners against the French because the armies were taking their crops and livestock. Bread prices continued to soar in the cities. Unemployment was high because all the focus was on the war, not on creating jobs. Inflation was making the money people had less valuable
Maximillian Robespierre will rise to power to crush all rebellion, traitors Georges Danton "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" , expand territory
The Committee for Public Safety was created by the convention to rule "until the peace. "
Louis XVI executed, January 21, 1793 "I am innocent and shall die without fear. I would that my death might bring happiness to the French, and ward off the dangers that I forsee. "
Economic Policies • Controlled Economy (government intervention). • No more laissez faire • Price controls on bread. Price maximums. makes san culottes happy but farmers are MAD! • Rationing for all food items and some household goods. Bread Prices continued to be high.
Religious Policies: Catholicism Abolished Worship of the Supreme Being This was a deist religious tradition. God started the world as a clockmaker makes a clock but the people are in charge of managing all the details. Nature and God guide people in their choices but REASON is the way of knowing. "Republic of Virtue" Catholic Churches were changed into Temples of Reason. Statues of saints were destroyed, stained glass windows were broken, the clergy escaped to other countries or hid in caves in the south of France.
Cultural Changes: Make it rational and republican! Metric system 10 day week (no Biblical references to seven days) Names of the months changed. No Christmas or Easter New National Holidays to celebrate the Republic. Change street names: Avenue of the Republic, Place de la Revolution. Tu not Vous makes addressing people equal. No hierarchy. No "madame" and "monsieur. " Instead "citizen. " Children's names: no Louis or Marie! How about Liberty, Dandelion? No chess (King, Queen, Bishops, Knights, pawns? ) No playing cards (King, Queen, Jack? )
Women and Militant Feminists *Feminists and middle class lose ground *Provided decisive leadership--> propelled revolution to include widened suffrage and a more democratic structure *Armed women--> fought for right to bear arms *National Convention-->Radicalism-->represses militant feminists forces Played a major role in the Revolution and paved way for women's rights in France
The Revolution devours itself Eventually, members of the Committee for Public Safetey began to disagree about all the killing. Georges Danton was executed for challenging the Committee's decisions. Robespierre steps up executions to about 350 per month! Eventually, Robespierre himself was executed as the war continued, the economy continued to be problematic and as the confusion of the cultural policies took a toll on everyone.
Nationalism: A feeling of group identity. The French were starting to feel more like a nation. • They had now been through two phases of revolution. • There had been a serious war that continued. • There had been lots of discussion about the meaning of liberty, equality, and fraternity. • There had been a lot of civil conflict that included people from all walks of life.
Who is happy and who is sad? Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Nobles Clergy Bourgeoisie Peasants Sans-culottes women Jews Protestants Austria, Prussia, England, Spain
Who is happy and who is sad? Happy : ) Some peasants Sad : ( Austria and Prussia, England, Spain Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette Nobles Clergy Bourgeoisie women sans culottes Committee for Public Safety
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